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Thursday 13th January 2005
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Raising the Roof at Victoria Mills
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One of the biggest lead roofing projects in the country is taking place at Newmason Properties £70m development at Saltaire, Bradford.
A specialist in the repair, refurbishment and conservation of historic buildings, William Anelay Limited, will restore the 1150 square metre roof of the Old Mill at Victoria Mills using 35 tonnes of lead.
The work should last 14 weeks in total and is part of Newmason Properties restoration of the Grade II Listed Mill. Once finished, Victoria Mills will provide over 400 luxury 1 and 2 bedroom apartments, divided between the converted old mills and the futuristic new buildings.
Newmason’s project manager Tim Harper said: “Victoria Mills is scheduled for completion in 2006 and, after all the preparation and planning, things feel like they’re really taking shape at the moment. The lead roof is being fitted and should be finished in March and the first families are moving into Mason’s (?) Mill in the next few weeks.
“Lead isn’t used as often anymore but we wanted to use it for the roof restoration. It is seen by some as an expensive way to roof but in the life of the building it is actually cheaper than alternatives. Single Ply Membrane, which is basically a plastic sheet that is bonded to the roof, is one alternative but only lasts around 25 years, whereas the lead will last us over 125 years!”
“Other reasons for not using lead anymore could be that there aren’t as many skilled workers in the industry and also the attractiveness of the metal to thieves. The high scrap value of lead means that it is often stolen, especially on low roofs like churches, but I don’t think we will have that problem here!”
To get the lead to the roof it is picked up on pallets, weighing a tonne each, using a 17m-forklift. It is then wheeled across the floor on a bogey and hoisted up onto the roof through the inside of the building.
Once the lead is up there, four men complete the job by hand. “Its an ancient craft!” joked Tim Donlon, Technical Director of William Anelay Ltd.
William Anelay Ltd has been in the restoration business since 1747 and is one of the oldest contracting businesses in the country.
Tim Donlon said, “ We have been very impressed with the organisation and the health and safety on this job. Newmason have the right attitude towards the mill. It’s an old building and they want to maintain its integrity”.
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Head Office: Victoria Mills, Salts Mills Road, Shipley, BD17 7EF
Tel: 0845 123 5535 | Fax: 0845 123 5536 | Email: info@newmason.co.uk
© Newmason Properties 2004 - All Rights Reserved |
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